A BRONZE statue of an ox is set to grace the entrance to Oxford's Kassam complex after councillors decided not to object to the plans.

As part of the legal agreement reached between Oxford City Council and Oxford United Football Club in 1999, the club was required to install a public work of art - of a minimum value of £10,000 - on the stadium or leisure site within one year of the first match day.

The club, which has to consult with the council over the nature, design and siting of the artwork, has submitted proposals for an 8ft-high bronze statue of an ox on a mounted plinth to stand at the entrance to the Kassam site.

The club said the suggested statue was decided upon following research into the history of the club badge and after visiting other local work of art sites.

But, according to a report before councillors on the south east area committee, the council's arts officer Neil Smith considered the statue unimaginative and suggested the club should commission an artist to come up with an alternative. Fergus Lapage, area co-ordinator, told the committee at its meeting Monday evening: "He (Firoz Kassam) doesn't have to do anything other than consult with the council.

"We are not in a position to determine what the art is at the end of the day."

Opinion among councillors was mixed. Some said the statue was aggressive and unimaginative, while others praised it for being exciting and forward- looking.

Cllr John Tanner said: "Art is always a matter of taste. I think it's vigorous, it's forward-looking, suits Oxford - I think it's ideal. It's robust, exciting, a nice piece of art. I am all for it and good for him."

Cllr Barbara Gatehouse said: "Art is in the eye of the beholder. I don't like it because it does look rather aggressive but if he's paid for it and it's a work of art just let him put it up."

Committee chairman Gill Sanders branded the proposed statue angry, aggressive and unimaginative.